Water Safety
Whether swimming in a lake, canoeing down a river or setting out on a boating trip, safety needs to be top of mind when you embark on an aquatic adventure in Colorado. Read on for the essentials of water safety.
Water Safety
Whether swimming in a lake, canoeing down a river or setting out on a boating trip, safety needs to be top of mind when you embark on an aquatic adventure in Colorado. Read on for the essentials of water safety.
Child with a life jacket in water at Paonia State Park
Cold Water Shock
Colorado Water Is Cold Water
Colorado waters are classified as "cold water" (anything under 70 degrees) for most of the year. Swimming in cold water risks cold water shock, which can lead to drowning even for strong, experienced swimmers.
Cold Water Shock Is Real: What to Expect if You Fall into Cold Water
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No Lifeguards on Duty
There are no CPW-operated swimming locations with lifeguards on duty at any time. Swimmers are responsible for their own safety. If a swimmer needs to be rescued, help will not be available immediately, increasing the risks of cold water shock and drowning.
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1. Cold Shock
An unexpected fall into cold water can cause an involuntary gasp reflex (which can cause you to breathe in water). Cold water shock can also cause rapid heart rate and hyperventilation (excessive breathing). If you experience cold water shock, quickly regain control of your breathing and get into the HELP position (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) by crossing your arms across your chest and pulling your knees up to your chest, as if hugging yourself, to retain body heat.
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2. Muscle Failure
Even experienced swimmers can experience shock within one minute in frigid water and may lose muscle control within 10 minutes. This can make it difficult or impossible to swim.
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3. Hypothermia
Hypothermia, when your body’s core temperature drops to dangerous levels, can set in quickly. If you are with other people, you can reduce heat loss by huddling together. 75% of victims don’t survive to this point.
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4. Effects of Cold Water Shock
Even if you escape a dangerous situation, cold water can have short- and long-term effects on your health.
Deadly Combos
Alcohol and Water
Alcohol use is the leading factor in recreational boating deaths. The intense sunlight and heat you experience when boating can amplify the effects of beer, wine and hard liquor. Your balance, vision, alertness, reaction time and coordination can change more intensely than you’re used to. One drink on the water is equivalent to three drinks on land.
Alcohol can also increase the dangers of cold water immersion.
Wind and Water
Weather can change very quickly in Colorado. Most summer storms arise in the afternoon, and they can come in fast and furiously, generally from the west.
Be mindful of the clouds and wind. Don't wait until the weather is on top of you before seeking safety. Wind is the main cause of paddlers falling in the water. Once in the water, the wind can blow your craft away from you, and if the waves become intense, it becomes difficult to swim.
Remember that after you get out of the water, wind chill can cause you to lose heat very quickly.
Life Jackets and Water
The majority of water-related fatalities happen when people are swimming in cold water or paddleboarding or kayaking while not wearing a life jacket.
Weight and Water
Don't go over the maximum capacity or weight on boats, kayaks or stand up paddleboards. They can capsize or sink. Remember that coolers can change the total weight and weight distribution on your vessel.
Life Jackets Save Lives
The majority of swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking fatalities occur when people are not wearing a life jacket. By keeping you above water, life jackets can be a last line of defense that prevents a bad situation from getting far worse. Colorado law requires that all water vessels have appropriately sized life jackets readily accessible for every person on board. Children under 12 must wear a life jacket at all times while on board any vessel. “Vessels” includes boats, Jet Skis and other personal motorized watercraft, paddleboards and kayaks.
Know Your Water
Rivers and Streams
Rivers are powerful and always changing. Understanding the conditions you may encounter, and being honest with yourself about your skills and experience, is critical to a safe day on the water.
Drowning Dangers
Water Levels
Heavy rain and high wind can raise water levels quickly and without notice. Late May and early June are typically when the amount of melted snow that flows down the mountains and into rivers and streams is highest, causing water levels to rise for a few weeks.
Even without heavy rain, rivers and streams can have "drop offs," spots with sudden changes in depth, which can catch swimmers off guard.
Strong Currents
Prepare carefully, especially during high flows. Know the conditions, bring friends and have the right equipment. If using a paddleboard, remember that not all boards are made for strong currents. Unlike flatwater paddleboards, river paddleboards have a curved-up design for riding currents and rapids. To prevent drowning, river boards have built-in safety leashes that “break away” if the board or the swimmer get stuck on an object. Flatwater boards do have leashes, but they do not break away.
River Hazards
Know and be aware of river “hazards” – both natural and man-made: holes, wrap rocks, undercuts, rock sieves, horizon lines across the river, low head dams as well as significant rapids and “strainers” (trees in the river).
Know Your Limits
- Be aware of your limitations and those of your fellow boaters and of your equipment.
- Do not boat alone. Two or more boats are safer.
Be Prepared
- Be familiar with current conditions, including water level and weather.
- Familiarize yourself with the particular section of river you plan to boat on.
- Ensure to carry the proper equipment, including a first aid kit, trash and human waste containers, extra layers, and rescue equipment like a throw bag.
- It’s best if you and everyone in your party know first aid and CPR.
- Be prepared to help others should an accident occur. It is up to you and everyone in your boat to be prepared to help each other.
River Paddleboards
A river standup paddleboard (SUP) is designed for riding in current and rapids. These boards are shorter and wider than common flatwater paddleboards, and have a curved-up design to handle rapids and waves better. River paddleboards have a specifically designed leash that will "break away" if the rider and board become separated. This way, even if rider or the board gets hung up or stuck on a strainer, rock, bridge pylon, etc., the swimmer is less likely to get pinned or trapped and drown.
Hire a River Outfitter
For recreationists who want to go rafting but are uncomfortable navigating more challenging water conditions, CPW recommends hiring a Colorado-licensed river outfitter guide to help facilitate your trip.
Lakes and Reservoirs
These large, open bodies of water offer a variety of activities, including boating, swimming and fishing. Even on a calm day when the water is flat, it’s important to understand the risks and keep safety top of mind when recreating on lakes and reservoirs.
Drowning Dangers
Drop Offs
The bottoms of lakes are inconsistent. “Drop offs” are spots in lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers with sudden changes in depth. These abrupt changes can be risky and catch swimmers off guard.
Water Depth
Most reservoirs average 40-100 feet deep, making them unsuitable for those with limited swimming abilities.
Unmarked Hazards
Lower water levels this summer can expose unmarked hazards that swimmers would usually not expect. Hazards could include trees, rocks, etc.
Know Your Limits
Because the average depth of reservoirs and lakes ranges from 40-100 feet, those with limited swimming abilities should avoid swimming in them. Even if you are a strong swimmer, an injury or a muscle cramp caused by cold water shock can limit your ability to stay afloat in deep water.
Be Prepared
- When using any kind of boat or vessel, motorized or nonmotorized, you must have a life jacket with you, and all boaters under 12 must be wearing a life jacket while boating.
- When boating, be sure to carry the proper equipment, including a first aid kit, trash and human waste containers, extra layers and rescue equipment like a throw bag, a rescue device with a loosely packed rope for pulling swimmers to safety in case of emergency.
Paddleboarding
A standard stand up paddleboard (SUP) is for casual floating on calm waters. Standard SUP leashes are connected to the board and to the wearer and do not break free. If the paddleboarder falls into the water, a leash will prevent the paddleboard from floating away. This allows the paddleboarder to get back on the paddleboard if they get separated from it, reducing the risk of drowning.
Swim Beaches
Swim beaches at state parks are designated areas on the shoreline with specific regulations such as no glass, no pets and no grills. The swimming portion, usually separated with a swim line or other physical barrier, is required to be tested per Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment standards of sanitation. No boats or vessels of any kind are allowed.
Remember that there are no CPW-operated swimming locations with lifeguards on duty at any time. Swimmers are responsible for their own safety at all times.